Written question WQ86794

Quality statements are intended to guide the development of core NHS clinical services, such as cancer and heart disease care. They will guide local NHS planning decisions and the use of their funding allocations. There is no national funding connected with any quality statement.

Quality statements will be implemented through the NHS planning framework and assurance will be achieved through the standing accountability arrangements for NHS health boards, trusts and special health authorities. The NHS Executive will enhance and support these processes by incorporating the national leadership teams that currently exist in the NHS Collaborative, such as the Wales Cancer Network and Wales Cardiac Network.

There is no direct relationship between the need for a quality statement and the need for a clinical network. It is possible to have a network without a quality statement and vice versa. However, in many instances there will be overlap resulting from the need to set national expectations for certain clinical services and the need to overcome complex system challenges with the support of a clinical network.